A 12-year-old girl accused of stabbing her foster carer and stealing a vehicle to visit an equine therapy centre will undergo a mental health assessment as part of a bail application.

Emergency services were called on Sunday to Augustine Heights at Ipswich, west of Brisbane, where a 55-year-old woman was found with a stab wound to her chest.

Police said a 12-year-old-girl who resided with the woman was charged with attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The woman was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella did not hand down a decision on bail at Ipswich Children’s Court on Wednesday, as a mental health assessment had yet to be completed.

Kinsella ordered the assessment on Tuesday after hearing the girl’s application for bail.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared via video link from custody.

A police prosecutor on Tuesday said the girl was accused of causing a large amount of suffering to the woman, who was her foster carer.

“The charges are serious. The evidence is strong. There is CCTV footage available. The child was located in a stolen vehicle,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said she opposed bail as the girl posed an unacceptable risk of offending or endangering the community if released.

“On August 8, police gave her a caution for unlawful use of a motor vehicle,” the prosecutor said.

Kinsella asked if that was nine days before the alleged stabbing.

“Yes, it’s an escalation of offending behaviour,” the prosecutor said.

Defence solicitor Lachlan Smith told Kinsella the girl had previously been diagnosed with ADHD and autism but had been attending school and treatment.

“She is currently engaging in equine therapy. She really enjoys that,” Smith said.

Kinsella said it was somewhat ironic that equine therapy appeared to be the motive behind the motor vehicle theft charge.

“That is an area where she feels safe and that was the motivation in attending the equine therapy facility,” Smith said.

Kinsella heard the girl had significant difficulties and prejudice in her background.

The prosecutor said the girl should be denied bail for her own safety as police had found suicidal threats in her diary.

Smith said the girl would live in residential care with the Department of Child Safety if granted bail and would not have any contact with the alleged victim.

Kinsella on Wednesday adjourned the bail application to August 26 after Smith told him the girl’s health report had yet to be written.

The Queensland government in May added attempted murder to its “adult crime, adult time” laws, increasing the maximum sentence for juveniles from 10 years to life imprisonment.

The maximum sentence was increased after a 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed and seriously wounded a woman at an Ipswich supermarket in January.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.